Shai Hope, the new captain of the West Indies ODI team, is looking forward to learning and sharing experience and knowledge in his debut PSL season in the Pakistan Super League.
Saying that the PSL has set very high standards of cricket, Hope further emphasized that colleagues around Barbados and the West Indies speak highly of the quality of the game there.
“My other teammates, colleagues back in Barbados and around the West Indies, who have played in PSL, all talk about the quality of cricket here. I think you guys set a very high standard here in Pakistan. It’s about trying to learn as much as they can from here and develop my career as best I can.”
The 29-year-old wicket-keeper batsman was picked by Lahore Qalandars for PSL 8 and Shai Hope is happy that, for a change, he is behind the wicket and not in front of it.
“It’s nice to be behind the stumps this time, instead of being in front of it. I always embrace the challenge whenever face I these guys, but it’s nice to be in the same dressing room as them. They really have some fire behind them. So, it’s great to be playing together.”
He said of his first match against Lahore Qalandars that his team beat Multan by one run and hopes to continue as a team.
“It’s good to be on the winning side, obviously, I think that like I told Shaheen and the other guys, it’s nice to be behind the stumps for once instead of facing him for the first over and it’s nice to be here and involved with the whole PSL, first and foremost. But yeah, it’s a great match to start my PSL career. And hopefully we can continue as a team.”
He further explained that one of his goals is to improve his game through the PSL.
“It is just about learning from the better T20 players around the world trying to improve my game and develop as best as I can.”
“I just want to be the best Shai Hope that I can be. I think developing my game in whatever areas I can and trying to find ways to improve if I can help someone along the way as well, because its all about sharing your experience and knowledge and trying to pull everyone along with you. So, the key is to enjoy the experience and then share it with someone else.”
“Hopefully we can continue as a team, get some more wins and continue this momentum.”
Answering a question, Shai Hope said that he has only played in CPL and BPL matches, so he cannot comment on other matches compared to PSL, but he has always heard about PSL.
A few days ago, Hope was given the captaincy of the West Indies ODI team and while commenting on it, he said that the knowledge that has existed for many years will be shared among the players.
“I think we need to take responsibility as players. We’ve been playing for quite some time. Having a captain hat now is just about transferring that knowledge that I’ve had over the years, giving my teammates the confidence and encouragement to go out there and perform at their best.”
“It is the start of a new journey, and hopefully I can do my best and make sure West Indies cricket is proud.”